Bao Bao the giant panda cub will make its public debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Jan. 18. / Paul J. Richards, AFP/Getty Images

by Ashley M. Williams, USA TODAY Network

by Ashley M. Williams, USA TODAY Network

Baby Bao Bao made her public debut Saturday. Zoo officials of the Smithsonian National Zoo have extended hours of the panda den from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. so that visitors will have the chance to see the four-month-old.

Visitors will also be able to catch her and her mother, Mei Xiang, Sunday and Monday during these same hours. However, zookeepers say the amount of time that visitors will have to see them will depend on if the pandas move into public view from their private den.

USA TODAY Network spoke with the zookeepers who know Bao Bao best to find out more about the baby panda capturing hearts.

Zookeepers say she has quite a way of showing emotion. When she's scared, she barks like a dog. When she's hungry, she cries to her mom like a human baby. And she likes exploring.